Rage against the Writers’ Block.
Fight for the words, fight for the time, and fight for the right to create!
Life is hard, and busy! But you must understand what it means to be writer, and how being a writer can be equal parts demanding and difficult.
But, I need you to understand that you have to choose your hard.
Either writer or don’t write. But, which one would you rather do?
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
One word at a time. That is all you need to worry about–one word and then the one after it.
Sometimes writing is hard, and the farthest you can see is one word at a time.
So just write the next word–and then the word after that.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
Toni Morrison said that the book you want to read, you might just have to write.
It is with that motivation in mind, I tell you this: The fear of writing a book is normal.
I say it again: THE FEAR OF WRITING A BOOK IS NORMAL.
It is scary to put your thoughts in a place where not just you will be able to read them. It is completely valid to think you can’t, you won’t, you shouldn’t and you should abandon all thought of it! Let this month, be the hug you need to reassure–as well as the nudge forward to begin.
It’s always the scariest part right before you begin! That will never change–you just learn how to manage it!
So where are three things I want you to keep in mind which will minimize your anxiety, which will only fuel your apprehension:
1.) Recognize the fear is normal. You’re creating a new thing! That is nerve-racking! But it is normal.
2.) Realize that no book or story is written overnight. You do have time.
3.) Remember that you are in control of the story. How fast or how slow–you are the one that is flying the plane.
Take a deep breath, and start.
Your word for this day: BEGIN.
I want you to realize just how important your voice and talent is. I want you to remember your pen is yours, and that the story you want to tell, can only be told by you.
Get to it.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
Dear Writer-
It is the first day of a new year. Considering the chaos and wreckage that was 2020, it is nice to have a blank slate in front of us. With that said, I need you to know three things. I believe in these three things will help empower you through your 2021: own your pen, write boldly, protect your writing space.
Let’s examine those further.
Own Your Pen. Your talent, your gift is yours. You must realize that to own the title of writer means you must own all you create. Own your imagination. Own your daydreaming! Own every idea, ever hesitation and every win–no matter how small. Own the fact that being a writer means there’s only one explanation: you must write. Let 2021 be the year opportunities are given to you–even if you have to create them.
Write Boldly. You have heard me quote Stephen King often in this space, especially “You cannot come lightly to the blank page.” In this new year, give yourself the permission to create as you never have. Let the the thoughts come as they need to, as they have to! I want you to become more confident in what you want to create. Do not allow 2021 to dictate your talent, ideas or passions. Write because you can and continue because you must.
Protect Your Writing Space. Alfred Hitchcock is quoted to have said, “I am a writer, therefore, automatically a suspicious character.” For that suspicious nature, the space by which, and in which, you create should be as unique as the writer whom inhabits it. Make your space conducive to your writing, and be specific! Do you need it warm or cold? Do you need a specific time blocked off? Do you need music or quiet? Once you decide what it is you need, be aware of the discipline and focus it will take in order to maintain both writing time and space. Be intentional about it. Be vicious about it! Be intentional about it! The more you access your gifts and talents, the easier they will be to access.
I wish you luck this year, Dear Writer. I wish you long, light and easy ideas and the bravery to chase what isn’t so easy. Continue when it’s hard, do not get cocky when it is easy, and remember your ideas are yours. Above all, own your pen–and all the power in it.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
Good Morning! This the first day of the new year and this year will be the focus of writing your book. No matter how long you have waited to write it, to matter how scared you have been to start it! This is safe space to get encouragement to write the story you want–like you want! Consider this your friendly reminder that your book isn’t going to write itself–and you must write it.
Good luck!
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
Despite the challenges, you made it. You made it 364 days. You made it through Writer’s Block, Writer’s High, rejection of manuscripts, re-writes, changed endings, publishing opportunities, and the starting of new platforms. You made it. Were the circumstances ideal? No–not for anyone. But you did it! Celebrate the wins. Study the losses. Continue towards the new. This new year is still on the horizon–there will be more opportunities. More things to embrace, more things to celebrate, more things to create.
Your pen is not empty.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
In Part 1, we talked about establishing a treasure chest, and what all goes into that. Now, we will discuss why those things are important–why that work was necessary! The work is necessary for organizing your thoughts, and keeping you on track for the project you desire. You have the space and time to do all you want–if you make space for it! The forethought and planning allows you to make space in your imagination for what you want–think of it as prepaying rent. In ‘prepaying’ it, you have decided to make the project you are working on not only a priority, but tangible! It is easier to write something that you have seen, than something that is still nebulous in your mind. All the research, images, and freewriting (even music!) helps to give shape to what was only an idea! But this is the purpose by which treasure chests are made–they are investments! They are a safe way to protect your jewels: your ideas. I am a believer that what you believe in, you will pay attention to and invest in. Open your treasure chests, dear ones. Fear not–you put time and effort into it. Since you did the work, reap the rewards of it–one word at a time.
Writing is dreaming with your eyes open. So, what are you dreaming of? Where is your pen seduced to go? Where does ink in your blood draw you? Which way is your imagination being drawn to go? Take it there. Stay there. Enjoy the jouney–that belongs to you too.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
Holidays are the source of joy for some, and trauma for others. What I want you to remember is that you own your story–every part, every moment, every instance. Once you remember this, once you remember that your story is yours in its completeness–it will cease to have control over you. You have the pen. Use it. Use it liberally and wisely.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
